automatic transmission CADILLAC ESCALADE 2023 User Guide

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/11/22
210 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Keep cargo in the cargo area as far
forward and as low as possible. The
heaviest things should be on the floor,
forward of the rear axle.
.Heavy loads on the roof raise the
vehicle's center of gravity, making it
more likely to roll over. You can be
seriously or fatally injured if the
vehicle rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on the roof.
For more information about loading the
vehicle, see Vehicle Load Limits 0215 and
Tires 0369.
Environmental Concerns
.Always use established trails, roads, and
areas that have been set aside for public
off-road recreational driving and obey all
posted regulations.
.Do not damage shrubs, flowers, trees,
or grasses or disturb wildlife.
.Do not park over things that burn. See
Parking over Things That Burn 0224.
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of what the
vehicle can and cannot do.
{Warning
Many hills are simply too steep for any
vehicle. Driving up hills can cause the
vehicle to stall. Driving down hills can
cause loss of control. Driving across hills
can cause a rollover. You could be injured
or killed. Do not drive on steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess the
steepness, traction, and obstructions. If the
terrain ahead cannot be seen, get out of the
vehicle and walk the hill before driving
further.
When driving on hills:
.Use a low gear and keep a firm grip on
the steering wheel.
.Maintain a slow speed.
.When possible, drive straight up or down
the hill.
.Slow down when approaching the top of
the hill.
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at high speed
can cause a crash. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even
another vehicle. You could be seriously
injured or killed. As you near the top of a
hill, slow down and stay alert.
.Use headlamps even during the day to
make the vehicle more visible.
.Never go downhill forward or backward
with either the transmission or transfer
case in N (Neutral). The brakes could
overheat and you could lose control.
{Warning
If the vehicle has the two-speed
automatic or electronic transfer case,
shifting the transfer case to N (Neutral)
can cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in P (Park). This is because
the N (Neutral) position on the transfer
case overrides the transmission. You or
someone else could be injured. If leaving
the vehicle, set the parking brake and (Continued)

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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222 Driving and Operating
Stop/Start System
If equipped and enabled, the Stop/Start
system will shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. It has components designed
for the increased number of starts.
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/Start feature
causes the engine to shut off while the
vehicle is still on. Do not exit the vehicle
before shifting to P (Park). The vehicle
may restart and move unexpectedly.
Always shift to P (Park), and then turn
the ignition off before exiting the vehicle.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and the vehicle
is at a complete stop, the engine may turn
off. When stopped, the tachometer displays
AUTO STOP. See Tachometer0108. When
the brake pedal is released or the
accelerator pedal is pressed, the engine will
restart.
To maintain vehicle performance, other
conditions may cause the engine to
automatically restart before the brake pedal
is released. Auto Stops may not occur and/or Auto
Starts may occur because:
.The climate control settings require the
engine to be running to cool or heat the
vehicle interior.
.The vehicle battery needs to charge.
.The vehicle battery has recently been
disconnected.
.Minimum vehicle speed has not been
reached since the last Auto Stop.
.The accelerator pedal is pressed.
.The engine or transmission is not at the
required operating temperature.
.The outside temperature is not in the
required operating range.
.The vehicle is shifted out of D (Drive) to
any gear other than P (Park).
.Certain driver modes have been selected.
See
Driver Mode Control 0240 and
Four-Wheel Drive 0231.
.The vehicle is on a steep hill or grade.
.The driver door has been opened or the
driver seat belt has been unbuckled.
.The hood has been opened.
.The Auto Stop has reached the maximum
allowed time. Auto Stop Disable Switch
Uplevel Shown, Others Similar
The automatic engine Stop/Start feature can
be disabled and enabled by pressing
h.
Auto Stop/Start is enabled each time you
start the vehicle.
When the
hindicator is illuminated, the
system is enabled.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
When the vehicle is turned from on to off,
the following features (if equipped) will
continue to function for up to 10 minutes,
or until the driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the vehicle is
on or in accessory mode:

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 225
Engine Exhaust{
Warning
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide
(CO), which cannot be seen or smelled.
Exposure to CO can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas with poor
ventilation (parking garages, tunnels,
deep snow that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes).
.The exhaust smells or sounds strange
or different.
.The exhaust system leaks due to
corrosion or damage.
.The vehicle exhaust system has been
modified, damaged, or improperly
repaired.
.There are holes or openings in the
vehicle body from damage or
aftermarket modifications that are not
completely sealed. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is
suspected that exhaust is coming into the
vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine
running in an enclosed area such as a
garage or a building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine
running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine running,
follow the proper steps to be sure the
vehicle will not move. See Shifting Into Park
0 223 and Engine Exhaust 0225.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, see
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips
0 305.
Automatic Transmission
Base Model Shown, V-Series Similar
The shift pattern is displayed in the top of
the shift lever. The selected gear position
will illuminate red on the shift lever, while
all others will be displayed in white. If the
shift is not immediate, as in very cold
conditions, the indicator on the shift lever
may flash until it is fully engaged.
The shift lever always starts from a center
position, represented by an up/down arrow
on the shift pattern. After releasing the shift
lever, it will return to the center position.
The transmission does not operate when the
vehicle is off.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/11/22
226 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle is in accessory mode, the
transmission can be shifted into P (Park).
If the vehicle is turned off while at a
relatively high vehicle speed, the
transmission will automatically shift to
N (Neutral). Once the vehicle is stopped,
P (Park) is automatically selected.
P :This position locks the drive wheels. Use
P (Park) when starting the engine to prevent
the vehicle from moving easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle
if the transmission is not in P (Park) with
the parking brake set. The vehicle
can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine
is running. If the engine has been left
running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even
when on fairly level ground, always set
the parking brake and place the
transmission into P (Park). See Shifting
Into Park 0223 and
Electric Parking Brake 0236.
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic
controlled transmission. The shift lock
release button is designed to prevent
inadvertent shifting out of P (Park) unless
the ignition is on, the brake pedal is applied,
and the shift lock release button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped, press ENGINE
START/STOP to turn off the vehicle. The
transmission will shift to P (Park)
automatically, unless the vehicle is in
N (Neutral). See “Car Wash Mode” later in
this section.
The vehicle will not shift into P (Park) if it is
moving too fast. Stop the vehicle and shift
into P (Park).

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 227
To shift in and out of P (Park), seeShifting
Into Park 0223 and
Shifting out of Park 0224.
Service Shift Lever Message
If the message SERVICE SHIFTER SEE
OWNER’S MANUAL appears in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), the shift lever
needs service. Have the vehicle serviced as
soon as possible. If the vehicle is
automatically shifting into P (Park), check to
see if the P (Park) button on top of the shift
lever is stuck. To operate the vehicle, hold
the shift lever in the desired gear,
R (Reverse) or D (Drive), until vehicle speed
exceeds 15 km/h (10 mph), then release the
shift lever.
R : Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from either
R (Reverse) to D (Drive) or L (Low), or L (Low)
or D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while the speed is
too high, the vehicle will shift to N (Neutral).
Reduce the vehicle speed and try the shift
again.
For V-Series models, if the vehicle is shifted
from either R (Reverse) to D (Drive) or
M (Manual Mode), or M (Manual Mode) or
D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while the speed is too high, the vehicle will shift to N (Neutral).
Reduce the vehicle speed and try the shift
again.
To shift into R (Reverse):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold shift lock release button on the side of the shift lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever forward through the first detent to
the end of travel. R is illuminated in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
To shift out of R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse) can be
used to rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0215.
N : In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on
the brake pedal, the vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while the engine is running at
high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting the
vehicle.
The vehicle is not designed to stay in
N (Neutral) for more than five minutes.
It may automatically shift into P (Park).
N (Neutral) is not intended for towing. If the
vehicle needs to be towed, see Transporting
a Disabled Vehicle 0401.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 229
Caution
A transmission hot message may display
if the automatic transmission fluid is too
hot. Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle the
engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message clears
when the transmission fluid has cooled
sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing, press
the accelerator pedal down.
To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back.
.If the vehicle is in P (Park) press the
shift lock release button while pulling
the shift lever back.
.D will illuminate in red.
.After releasing the shift lever, it will
return to the center position.
To shift out of D (Drive): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. 3. After releasing the shift lever, it will
return to the center position.
Downshifting the transmission on a slippery
road could result in skidding. See “Skidding”
under Loss of Control 0209.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the
transmission. The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. If the
vehicle is stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Caution
Driving with the engine at a high rpm
without upshifting while using Tap Shift,
could damage the vehicle. Always upshift
when necessary while using Tap Shift.
Electronic Range Select (ERS), or Manual
Mode, allows manual selection of gear
positions. Use this mode when driving
downhill or towing a trailer to limit the top
gear and vehicle speed. The shift position
indicator within the Driver Information
Center (DIC) displays a number next to the L
indicating the highest available gear.
To enter ERS/Manual Mode:1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), pull back the shift lever to activate L (Low). The L
will illuminate red, and the D will turn
white.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/11/22
230 Driving and Operating
2. Tap the left steering wheel control toreduce the highest gear available, or the
right control to increase the highest gear
available.
3. To exit, pull back the shift lever a second time. The D will illuminate red, and the L
will turn white.
When shifting to L (Low), the transmission
shifts to a preset lower gear range. The
highest gear available while in this range
will be displayed next to the L (Low) in the
DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
0 124. All gears below are available to use.
For example, when 4 (Fourth) is shown next
to the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears
are shifted automatically. To shift to 5
(Fifth) gear, tap the right steering wheel
control or shift into D (Drive).
L (Low) prevents shifting to a lower gear
range if the engine speed is too high. If the
vehicle speed is not reduced within the
allotted time, the lower gear range shift will
not complete. Slow the vehicle, then tap the
left steering wheel control to the desired
lower gear range.
Cruise control can be used while in ERS.Manual Mode (V-Series)
Tap Shift
Caution
Driving with the engine at a high rpm
without upshifting while using Tap Shift,
could damage the vehicle. Always upshift
when necessary while using Tap Shift.
If equipped, vehicles with Tap Shift have
controls on the back of the steering wheel
to manually shift the automatic
transmission. Permanent Tap Shift Mode
To enter Permanent Tap Shift Mode:
1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), pull back on the shift lever to activate M (Manual
Mode). The M in the shift pattern will
illuminate in red, and the D will switch
to white. While in Permanent Tap Shift
Mode, the M on the instrument cluster
will be highlighted and the current gear
shown.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
3. Pull the control toward you to shift. Pull the left control to downshift, and the
right control to upshift. To shift to the
lowest available gear, pull and hold the
left control.
To exit Permanent Tap Shift Mode: 1. To exit M (Manual Mode) and return to D (Drive), pull back on the shift lever.
The D in the shift pattern will illuminate
in red, and the M will switch to white.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
M (Manual Mode) can be exited to return to
D (Drive) at any speed by pulling the lever
rearward from the center position. It is not

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 231
necessary to stop the vehicle or shift to
N (Neutral) or P (Park) prior to shifting back
to D (Drive).
Temporary Tap Manual Shift Mode
To enter Temporary Tap Shift Mode:1. With the transmission in D (Drive) and not in Permanent Tap Shift Mode, the
Tap Shift controls will activate a
Temporary Tap Manual Shift Mode,
allowing the transmission to be manually
shifted. While in Temporary Tap Shift
Mode, the D on the instrument cluster
will be highlighted and the current gear
shown.
2. To shift to the lowest available gear, press and hold the left control.
3. To deactivate, hold the right control briefly. Automatic shifts return after no
manual shifts have been done for seven
to 10 seconds.
While using Tap Shift, the vehicle will have
firmer, quicker shifting. This can be used for
sport driving or when climbing or
descending hills, to stay in gear longer,
or to downshift for more power or engine
braking. The transmission will only allow shifting
into gears appropriate for the vehicle speed
and engine revolutions per minute (rpm).
The transmission will not automatically shift
to the next higher gear if the engine rpm is
too high. It will only automatically shift to
the next lower gear if the engine rpm is
too low.
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive engages the
front axle for extra traction.
Four-wheel drive engages the front axle for
extra traction.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in 4
mand 4n(if equipped) for an extended
period of time. These conditions may
cause premature wear on the vehicle’s
powertrain.
Driving on clean, dry pavement in 4
mor
4
nmay:
.Cause a vibration to be felt in the
steering system.
.Cause tires to wear faster.
{Warning
With four-wheel drive, the vehicle will be
free to roll if the transfer case is in
N (Neutral), even when the shift lever is
in P (Park). Be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear —2
m, 4m, or 4n—not in
N (Neutral). See Shifting Into Park 0223.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in 4n
may damage or shorten the life of the
drivetrain.
An engagement noise and bump is normal
when shifting between 4
nand 4mor
N (Neutral), with the engine running.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) off. See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0238.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/11/22
232 Driving and Operating
Automatic Transfer Case
Two-Speed Transfer Case
If equipped, the transfer case controls are
used to shift into and out of four-wheel
drive.
To shift the transfer case, press the desired
button. The graphic in the instrument
cluster will flash while a shift is in progress.
The graphic displayed will change to indicate
the setting requested.
When the shift is complete the graphic will
stop flashing. The DIC message turns off
once the shift is complete. If the transfer
case cannot complete a shift request, it will
go back to its last chosen setting.The settings are:
N (Neutral) :
Use only when the vehicle
needs to be towed. See Recreational Vehicle
Towing 0402 and
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle 0401.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use for driving
on most streets and highways. The front
axle is not engaged. This setting provides
the best fuel economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive) : Use
when road surface conditions are variable.
When driving in AUTO, the front axle is
engaged, and the vehicle's power is sent to
the front and rear wheels automatically
based on driving conditions. This setting
provides slightly lower fuel economy than
2
m.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use this
position when extra traction is needed, such
as when driving on snowy or icy roads,
when off-roading, or when plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This setting
engages the front axle and delivers extra
torque. Choose 4
nwhen driving off-road in
deep sand, deep mud, or deep snow, and while climbing or descending steep hills.
While driving in 4
n, keep vehicle speed
below 72 km/h (45 mph).
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak/ESC off. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0238.
Shifts between 2
m, 4m, and AUTO
Any of these shifts can be made at normal
driving speed.
The actual 4x4 shift request is only made
after the button is released. The 4x4 graphic
will remain flashing until the shift request
has completed. A DIC message displays to
indicate that the 4x4 transfer case has been
requested to shift to the new desired state.
Once the 4x4 shift has completed, the DIC
message disappears, the 4x4 graphic stops
flashing, and the current setting is indicated.
When a shift to 2
mis completed
successfully while in P (Park), the parking
brake will engage. To resume driving, shift
the transmission to the desired gear and
manually release the parking bake or press
the accelerator pedal to begin driving. See
Electric Parking Brake 0236.

Cadillac Escalade Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16417396) - 2023 - CRC - 5/11/22
236 Driving and Operating
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can
help even more than braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB) can be
applied when the vehicle is on or off.
If there is not enough electrical power, the
EPB cannot be applied or released. To
prevent draining the battery, avoid
unnecessary repeated cycles of the EPB.
The system has a red EPB status light and
an amber service EPB warning light. See
Electric Parking Brake Light0116 and Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0116.
There are also parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages.
Before leaving the vehicle, check the red EPB
status light to ensure that the parking brake
is applied.
If a message displays on the DIC indicating
the transmission is unable to shift soon, the
service electric parking brake is on, and the
EPB light flashes at the same time, the
system must be reset. Start the vehicle,
apply the EPB, and then release it. The
message and light should turn off. See
Electric Parking Brake Light 0116 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light 0116.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Press the EPB switch.
The red EPB status light will flash and then
stay on once the EPB is fully applied. If the
red EPB status light flashes continuously,
then the EPB is only partially applied or
there is a problem with the EPB. A DIC
message will display. Release the EPB and
try to apply it again. If the light does not come on, or keeps flashing, have the vehicle
serviced. Do not drive the vehicle if the red
EPB status light is flashing. See your dealer.
If the amber service EPB warning light is on,
press the EPB switch. Continue to hold the
switch until the red EPB status light remains
on. If the amber service EPB warning light is
on, see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the vehicle is
moving, the vehicle will decelerate as long
as the switch is pressed. If the switch is
pressed until the vehicle comes to a stop,
the EPB will remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply the EPB
in some situations when the vehicle is not
moving. This is normal, and is done to
periodically check the correct operation of
the EPB system, or as required by other
safety functions that utilize the EPB.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the rear
wheels to prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the ignition on or to accessory mode.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily.